Meet Your Physicians
Shaina Ponce, Phd.
Empowering wellness through education, insight, and behavior change.
Dr. Shaina Ponce graduated from Loma Linda University with my PhD in Clinical Psychology. The main treatments she uses are Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) - with a specialization in CBT for psychosis (CBT-p).
She been practicing these treatments for 10 years with people of different backgrounds and needs. Communication and mutual understanding is very important to her and so she takes her time to ensure she truly understands you and your unique needs.
Her training has been focused in the area of Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and psychosis with an emphasis on schizophrenia.
Her approach to treating SMI includes a combination of education, validation, skills training, and fostering independence. One of her many strengths is working through severe verbal and cognitive disorganization.
Together, you will explore hallucinations and delusions to better understand your experience of the world. This allows us to come up with strategies for coping with psychosis effectively and help you function more independently.
As a DBT clinician and a part of team of DBT clinicians, she has a lot of confidence in helping people with emotional dysregulation, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Her role as a DBT therapist is to coach and cheer you on as you gain the skills to manage your emotions and live a life-worth-living. Your treatment, while adhering to DBT, is tailored to your goals and values to empower you to cope and function effectively.
Whether managing emotions, improving relationships, overcoming trauma, or learning from hallucinations or delusions, Dr. Shaina Ponce is committed to being present and guiding you through your journey into wellness.
Aniel Ponce, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Aniel Ponce has extensive clinical experience across diverse settings. These include residential treatment facilities, community mental health clinics, school districts, and hospitals. His work is centered on evidence-based interventions, serving a wide range of clients—children, adults, couples, groups, and families.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A practical approach for addressing mental health concerns by reshaping thought patterns.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Focused on emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.
Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS): Nurturing adaptive behaviors through gentle guidance.
Assessments: Dr. Aniel Ponce is skilled in administering and interpreting psychological assessments. These assessments provide critical insights into a client’s emotional well-being, cognitive functioning, and behavioral patterns. He creates comprehensive case conceptualizations and treatment recommendations.
Collaboration: Working effectively with interdisciplinary teams—psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers—is essential. Teachers, too, play a vital role in aligning emotional well-being with academic growth.
Mentoring and Compassionate Care: Dr. Aniel Ponce had the privilege of providing supervision to graduate students and training to direct support professionals. Efficiency and organization are hallmarks of his practice, but compassion remains at its core. Patient-centered interventions and strong therapeutic relationships drive positive outcomes.